Impact of Speech Diisorders on Psychosociiall Status of Schooll Age Chiilldren

Abstract

Children with speech disorders frequently experience peers victimization and rejection which make them susceptible for psychosocial disturbances. Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess the impact of speech disorders on psychosocial status of school-age children. Subjects and method: a case-control study design was used to perform this study. It was conducted on a total of 104 speech disordered children attending the Unit of Phoniatrics at both Assiut and Beni-Suef University Hospitals and a control group composed of 80 normal school-age children. Data were collected by utilizing five tools; Tool (1):- A Structured Interview Questionnaire, Tool (2):- The Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale, Tool (3): Children Depression Inventory Scale, Tool (4): Self-Esteem Inventory Scale, and Tool (5): Introverted Behavior Scale. Results: The highest percentage of the studied speech disordered children had severe anxiety, moderate depression, moderate self-esteem disturbance and severe introverted behavior. On the other hand, the highest percentage of the control group subjects had moderate anxiety, no depression, mild self-esteem disturbance and mild introverted behavior. Conclusion: speech disorders affect the psychosocial status of school-age children. Recommendations: Workshop training programs for nurses on how to help caregivers to cope appropriately with their children to reduce the emergence of psychosocial problems.